According to the latest parental surveys conducted by sociologists in our country, robotics designers for children are gaining more and more popularity, not only among high school students, but also among 4-5 year old kids.
Now in the domestic market there is a huge selection of kits that are designed for children of all ages, with different levels of training and knowledge.
Designers Features
All programmable robots are united not only by the function of the game, but also by training. Designers for students are often accompanied by workbooks, textbooks, glossaries, teaching materials for teachers. Kits for younger groups, in particular for preschool children, are not designed to use serious pedagogical materials, however, in this case, the child does not just play, but studies mechanisms and physical laws in an accessible form.
Undoubtedly, the robot designer for children four to six years old does not offer the collection and programming of a humanoid android. At the initial stages, robotics is the study of models, work with the simplest motors, etc.
Age groups
Today, design robots are available for children aged four to fifteen. A well-thought-out set corresponds to the level of knowledge of a young designer or engineer: the older the child, the more difficult models are offered to him. Most manufacturers offer models for the following age groups:
From 4 to 6 years
Simple models with bright and large details and fun content. Usually, in this case, the baby is invited to collect airplanes, cars, animals in order to get a first idea of what a mechanism is. The task of such designers for kids is to develop the child’s fine motor skills, perseverance, attention, ingenuity, and teach them how to work in a team.
7 to 9 years old
Robot constructor for robotics for younger students is becoming more complex. This can be said both about the models themselves and about the topics being studied. Children become more familiar with physical laws and phenomena, begin to study the operation of various sensors. For this reason, such kits are successfully used in physics classes. Many kits offer not only building a typewriter, but also making it move: go along the line, move away from the edge of the table.
10 to 15 years old
A programmable robot for high school students implies an almost complete immersion in robotics (excluding modeling and printing of parts, although the kit from Fischertechnik allows you to assemble a real 3D printer). Work with mechanisms in this case is combined with programming - kits can be delivered with programmable boards so that a future engineer can see how they function and try to set commands on their own.
Lego
One of the most popular and well-known brands in the world is a recognized leader in educational robotics. In many schools, it is precisely his kits that are used in the classes, which are distinguished by universality, a wide range of materials for teachers, and the availability of workbooks.
The famous brand offers several lines for children of different ages. For the smallest, “First mechanisms” (5+) or “Simple mechanisms” (7+) are suitable. Classes with these designers do not require serious knowledge in robotics, sets only familiarize children with what is and how the mechanism works. A future design engineer will learn how levers, gears, and more work.
Rulers WeDo and WeDo 2
This toy is a programmable robot that will allow children from 7 to 10 years old to assemble the first real mechanism. Kits consist of many parts for the body of the robot, as well as a variety of sensors (tilt, movement), didactic materials, software.
In a separate group, designers should be distinguished, in which topics that are related not only to physical phenomena, but also to some other disciplines, technology, for example, are discussed in detail. Such sets include “Renewable energy sources”, “Pneumatics” and others.
MINDSTORMS Education EV3
These are the most sophisticated of the LEGO constructors designed for high school students. Kits allow you to create a full-fledged prefabricated programmable robot that has various sensors, which is able to interact with other robots from this manufacturer.
Huna
South Korean specialists, developing programmable designers for children, adhere to the rule - "From simple to complex." Already for children from six to eight years of age, the brand offers to assemble simple mechanisms with an engine, sensors that determine the distance, sound. These sets are based on models familiar to all kids: fairy tale heroes (for example, Thomas Engine or characters from The Three Piglets), cars, animals. Each kit is equipped with understandable instructions that will help the child (of course, with the help of adults) to assemble an interesting moving model.
MRT (My Robot Time)
Older children will be interested in this line, in which you can pick up sets more difficult. All kits include a motor, sensors, and other necessary items. The main feature of Huna programmable robots is the ability to connect parts on all six sides.
Kits for collaboration, group work became an interesting development of the company: the guys can build a zoo and even a city or dream up on the themes “New Year and Christmas”, “Dreams and reality”.
Fischertechnik (Germany)
This German manufacturer, who prepared kits for children of different age groups, is not inferior to competitors. For example, for beginner inventors from the age of five, a “Set for Kids” was created, as well as a “Super Set for Kids”.
Each such kit will allow the child to build several models of aircraft, cars, a crane and other understandable and familiar objects.
Fischertechnik proposes to solve more complex problems for younger students. For example, build a car powered by solar panels or a tractor with remote control. The brand developed kits for studying optical phenomena, pneumatics, fuel cells, laws of dynamics, various engines. These and other similar educational designers will help children in a playful way familiarize themselves with various aspects of the school physics course, but, most importantly, put theoretical knowledge into practice.
Engino (Cyprus)
A brand known for a huge assortment of a wide variety of educational interactive programmable robots. In addition, Engino offers an original series for girls: the details of the designers are made in pastel colors, and the models themselves are closer to the beautiful half of humanity.
Mechanical Science and Discovering Stem
It should be noted and these series from the company Engino. With their help, the child will visually study various physical phenomena - the operation of levers, cranks, wedges, get acquainted with the laws of Newton and solar energy. Stem stands for Science (Science), Technology (Technology), Engineering (Engineering) and Mathematics (Mathematics). Designers are also devoted to these areas.
Makeblock (Germany)
The most interesting robot designers produced by this company are undoubtedly those that can be used for their intended purpose after assembly. For example, Airblock Drone or Laserbot engraver, which allows you to assemble a boat or drone on an air cushion. The kits are equipped with everything necessary for the full operation of the device. For example, a young engraver will need a laser head, software, brackets, and more.
Silverlit - programmable robot (36 functions)
This technological unique toy from Chinese manufacturers is a real miracle. The programmable robot has thirty-six functions, and also comes with a small robot. The main character of the kit is able to:
- perform sequential actions (no more than thirty-six in one cycle), of which the most interesting are turns, kicking, walking forward and backward, expressing concern, dancing, avoiding obstacles;
- respond to loud sounds. When popping away from the Silverlit, it makes a sound;
- guard the premises: the robot warns with signs of the child that some obstacle has appeared in front of him;
- Communicate with your mini copy of Maxi Pals, giving light signals;
- sparkle eyes, turn the head, move the joints of the legs and arms;
- hold light objects in hands.
Silverlit robots are made from quality materials. The kit includes a remote control, which for convenience can be mounted on the back of the robot. Smalll Silverlit programmable robot. Batteries are supplied, but only to the main, large Maxi Pals robot.
This toy will interest children from the age of five. The robots look very nice - the original astronauts dressed in original spacesuits. The toy has a special sensor that allows you to bypass obstacles and scan the space.
Humanoid robot programmers
Probably very soon, android robots will become indispensable helpers for housewives: they will be able to cook food and clean the house. So far, such models are used only for entertainment or educational purposes.
Darwin-mini
Robotic elements from Robotic are compatible with the designer of the Dream series, of the same brand. The height of the robot is 26.95 cm, seventeen servomotors are used for movements. It moves at a speed of 24 cm / sec, the battery is designed for half an hour of continuous operation.
The kit includes a Bluetooth module. But there are no gyroscopic and other sensors in this kit. An open platform controller controls the robot. It is equipped with four ports, to which additional LED sensors are connected, which are not included in the package, but may be needed to perform some additional tasks.
For a prefabricated programmed robot, the free RoboPlus software is used. Robot behavior can be programmed using the RoboPlus Task editor, and more complex movements can be programmed using the RoboPlus Motion program.
Bioloid Premium Kit
Set from the famous Korean company Robotics. In addition to three humanoid robots, 26 different mechanisms can be assembled from the proposed set. The kit is designed for children of senior and secondary school age.
The assembled robot has: a gyroscope, two infrared obstacle sensors, 18 servomotors, an infrared distance sensor. In addition, the design includes voltage, temperature, microphone sensors. The kit includes a remote control.
Customer reviews
Programmable children's robots are interesting toys that can captivate children from a very young age. They develop thinking, imagination, introduce children to many natural phenomena and physical laws. Many parents note that these games allow you to have a great time with your children.